Banghis was sentenced to three years(Image: NCA)
A pair of creeps who raped and sexually abused vulnerable minor migrants have been extradited to Belgium. Zeeshan Banghis, 21, (AKA Bangash Zeeshan) who was arrested at an address on New Kent Road, in Southwark, and Saifur Rahman Ahmedzai (AKA Raees Hamza), 24, who was arrested in Hemel Hempstead, would video and use the footage to blackmail victims into crime and further sexual abuse.
They worked for a huge people smuggling syndicate which was involved in organising the transport of migrants from Afghanistan through Iran, Turkey, and the Balkans into western Europe, mainly France and Belgium. Many would end up on small boats from northern France to the UK, with the gang suspected of transporting thousands of people this way.
The group also committed serious sexual offences against male migrant minors, including rape which they would video and use footage to blackmail the victims into criminality and further sexual abuse. In November 2024 a court in Antwerp, Belgium, convicted and sentenced the duo and 21 other members of the gang to a total of 170 years imprisonment. Sentences ranged from two to 18 years.
Ahmedzai is serving a 10 year sentence(Image: NCA)
In total 11 members were tried in their absence, including Banghis and Ahmedzai. Ahmedzai was sentenced to 10 years inside, while Banghis was sentenced to three years. Both were also fined €3,000. Banghis was caught in London in December 2024 and Ahmedzai was arrested days later in Hemel Hempstead.
Ahmedzai was extradited to Belgium in June last year, with the same happening to Banghis yesterday (Thursday, January 15). They will serve the remainder of their sentences in a Belgian prison.
Andy Kelly, head of the NCA’s National Extradition Unit, said: “This gang operated across the globe and piled misery on migrants they transported, all for the sake of making a profit.
“Many of these people would have been extremely vulnerable, which makes it all the more shocking that disgraceful sexual offences were committed against some of them.
“Our joint investigation with Belgian law enforcement is another example of international action succeeding against a global threat.
“These extraditions display a very strong message that work to disrupt and dismantle the gangs behind this horrendous trade will never slow down.”
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